Tips For A Spirited Office

MARCIA HEROUX POUNDS SMALL BUSINESS ISSUES

July 5, 2004|MARCIA HEROUX POUNDS SMALL BUSINESS ISSUES

As more companies begin hiring, small businesses may have a harder time competing for employees.

Mike Maseda, who heads the southern region of the professional employer organization, ADP TotalSource, sees more jobs being created lately -- an increase of about half a percent a month or 6 percent a year.

Small businesses can compete with larger employers by hiring workers who best fit the culture, he says. But it helps to have an inviting workplace culture to attract new employees as well as retain the existing talent. "It comes down to good leadership -- people who are inspiring and treat folks well," Maseda says.

Managers of small firms can pick up some tips on positive cultures from the "Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America." The list is the first national ranking by the Society of Human Resource Management and the Great Place to Work Institute.

SHRM, an association for human resource professionals, says the common thread among the best companies is they "are dedicated to communicating clearly with employees and encouraging staff to voice their opinions." These companies emphasize respect and honesty. And they find ways "to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit of their workers to keep them engaged and excited about their jobs," SHRM says.

Here are winning practices by top companies on the list:

Free breakfast, lunch and dinner for workers are available at AGI, which develops software for the aerospace industry. The Exton, Pa., company also offers a laundry room with free washers and dryers, a fitness center, and dry cleaning and other services that help employees spend more time at work.

An employee and his dog racing to lap up water? Sounds crazy, but it's part of the fun during "dog days" -- when employees bring their dogs to work -- at the advertising agency archermalmo of Memphis, Tenn. The firm also hires an ice cream truck to deliver treats, offers manicures and massages on certain days, and always offers free sodas and popcorn. "We never saw an idea we didn't like as far as something quirky, a fun thing we can do," says Chief Executive Russ Williams .The environment helps the ad agency attract talent, he says. "Our business is a people business ... Our strategy of having a fun work environment is to balance stress."

Six employees are randomly selected at Advanced Financial Services of Newport, R.I., for semiweekly breakfasts with the company president. The meetings help the company tap the employees for ideas on improving the organization.

Rigidity was once the culture at Acuity in Sheboygan, Wis. Since charismatic CEO Ben Saltzmann took the helm, the annual turnover dropped from nearly a quarter of the staff to less than 2 percent in 2004. Saltzmann incorporates humor in his leadership of the property insurer.

Try out a different job at Genencor International. The Palo Alto, Calif., biotechnology company allows employees to work in different departments to gain new perspectives and skills.

At all these "best companies," workers feel they belong, SHRM says. Employees feel respected and appreciated.

"These are organizations that really look at people issues. If you treat people well your company is going to be financially successful," said Frank Scanlan, spokesman for SHRM.

For more information about the best companies, visit www.shrm.org.

Marcia Heroux Pounds can be reached at mpounds@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6650.